Archive and reference: The National Archives MH 12/145889
Date of letter: 23 May 1854
Poor Law Union: Reeth Poor Law Union
Union counties: Yorkshire North Riding
CIRCUMTEXT: Reeth Union Charge agst [****] of the WH to be awaiting [****] in July [****] to my reply
Reeth Union
Charge agd M of the WH to be investigated in July [****] to my reply
Reeth Union
Mr Peacock
If you will wait, until my return to RU I will take an early opportunity of paying a visit to Reeth & inquire with the matters to which you refer, previously giving you official notice
TEXT
Honle Lords
I think it my Duty to inform You of the Cruel act done by William Hill Relieving Officer at Reeth Union a poor old Man an Inmate belonging to Reeth Union three week gon Saturday his Body Braak & he Spoiled the Bed William Hill came into the Old Man Room took him by some of the Bed Clothes & trailed him out of the Bed crost the Room down the stairs from the Top to the Bottom & his Head met —– the steps all they way to the bottom of the stairs, then he dragged him into the Open Yard, ordered the men to take his shirt of him which they did so, one man held him up till a nother man threu pail full of could water upon the Old man naked Body, this was done in the Open Yard visible to all the inmates in the Union & his own Family likewise, there is a Woman in the Union her name is Ann Peacock she told me that she was present when all this was done if you wish to enter into the matter Please to be very careful in examining her as she is a fraid of ill usage from William Hill afterwards, this Ann Peacock told Thomas Tate Porter of the Union as well as me & said is she was called on she would speak the Truth, Mrs Hill told Ann Peacock is she speaks so she would be counted as bad as the Master, this old Man only lived six Days after this ill usage [suj] I have been the Union Barber ever since the Union began, I was shaving at the Union the same Day it took place & the old man he told me all about it, how William Hill had ill uesed him, & he said to me you have shaved me the last time a live & it was so
I Remain
Sir,
Your most Obet Servant,
James Peacock
Document 3 – Letter. Advocate letter from James Peacock on an alleged assault on an inmate by William Hill, relieving officer. The writer refers to a witness (an inmate) who would need to be treated with care as she has said “she is a fraid of ill usage” from Hill if it was discovered she provided evidence against him.
What punishments does the pauper receive? A pauper in the workhouse was dragged down the stairs on his bed sheet, where his head hit the floor. The pauper was then dragged to the yard and cold water was thrown onto him.
What does the evidence suggest about workhouse staff? Carry out informal punishments that are not recorded in punishment books.
What does the nature of the evidence reveal about the paupers? Letter – the pauper is prepared to raise their case to the Union. Representing other paupers. Some witnesses are afraid of giving evidence, however.